Deborah Conway: Wednesday October 15th 2003
As I write this I can hear from the other room the deep mellow twang of a double bass played by Shannon Birchall - moonlighting with me, his real gig is with the John Butler Trio. A fine player with a beautiful sound. We’re recording bass today but I have to pack my guitar in moments for a sound check in Port Melbourne.
You don't get a gig all year and then you start making an album and bingo, 4 in a row. Last night the Spiegeltent was full to the brim with happy festival going customers, attentive and enthusiastic, an excellent combination.
Hepburn Springs on Friday night were heavy on enthusiasm but light on attentive. A lot of alcohol was imbibed and though the Palais clientele danced wildly they managed to keep their clothes on. After a bit of singing, selling and chatting to the punters I walked back into the band room to be greeted by Guy Pierce. A bit surreal to find a movie star in your dressing room so far from a CBD and I said as much. Couldn't think what his name was initially either, which was very disconcerting, having seen at least 3 of his recent outings. He held out his hand to Willy and said “hi, I’m Guy” and Willy said “hi, I’m Willy” and he said “I know”. All of which is very ordinary except when you’ve spent a bit of time looking at a person in intimate close-up on a very large screen.
We have 2 more shows this week also which all contribute to making recording time very frenetic. Makes me feel like a real musician. From rehearsal to studio to stage the boundaries are amorphous.
Either that or it’s lack of sleep that gives everything a slightly fuzzy edge.
And speaking of such things I should like to formally extend warmest greetings to Finn Henry O’Meara, a recent inductee, he arrived at approximately 1am this morning when most of us were in bed. There were a couple though, that stayed up especially to welcome him and show him around, his nearest and dearest Mark and Nicky. Love your work!
added Wednesday, 15 October, 2003
